Bologna chief offers Riccardo Calafiori transfer hint after Liverpool links

Liverpool was always going to be linked with some of the stars of the European Championship . The same goes for the Copa America which is currently taking place in the US.

Given that Joel Matip has moved on, it seems reasonable that Liverpool should be looking for a replacement. And while Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro would be the ideal option, there is still a feeling that he will end up at Real Madrid.

Instead, various other players in the same position have been linked with a move to Anfield . Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori , who impressed in Serie A last season and then had a decent enough Euro 2024, is one of them.

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However, in something of a transfer twist, he will supposedly not be joining Juventus , as was assumed to be the case. That is according to Bologna chief Giovanni Sartori, who has offered an update on the situation.

"I think he will not end up joining Juventus," the director has said (via Fabrizio Romano ). "Probably he can go abroad, in case we decide to sell him. We’d like to keep Calafiori so let’s see what happens."

With Italy having crashed out of Euro 2024 against Switzerland over the weekend, some movement might now be possible. However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool has any genuine interest in the player.

A fee of around $43m (£34m/€40m) has been touted for Calafiori with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Real Madrid , Arsenal and Tottenham have all joined the race for him. With his international commitments now taken care of for the summer, his future may become clear.

Liverpool.com says: Calafiori looked good when he played for Italy but Liverpool will not be swayed by an international tournament. Even though he had a good year in Serie A, the transfer links only emerged when he started to impress in Germany.

Signing a defender is a must in our eyes but the ECHO has reported that the Reds may not bring in an alternative option if Yoro ends up being unattainable. As it stands, it looks like the 18-year-old Frenchman will be heading to Real Madrid.